Scarsdale, New York needs no introduction. For decades, this Westchester County village has been synonymous with affluence, academic excellence, and a quality of life that few American suburbs can match. With a nationally ranked school district, a vibrant village center, tree-lined streets, and a real estate market that attracts some of the most discerning homebuyers in the New York metropolitan area, Scarsdale has earned its reputation as one of the most desirable places to live in the country.
But Scarsdale is not a monolith. The village is divided into five distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character, architectural identity, price range, and community feel. Understanding the differences between these neighborhoods is essential for any homebuyer considering a move to Scarsdale, and equally important for current homeowners planning renovations or additions that will maximize their property's value within its specific neighborhood context.
This guide offers a detailed, section-by-section look at the best neighborhoods in Scarsdale, NY, covering everything from home styles and price ranges to walkability, school assignments, and construction considerations for each area.
How Scarsdale's Neighborhoods Are Organized
Scarsdale's five neighborhoods correspond roughly to the village's five elementary schools. Each neighborhood feeds into one elementary school, and all five elementary schools feed into Scarsdale Middle School and then Scarsdale High School. This means that while the elementary school experience varies by neighborhood, all Scarsdale students come together starting in sixth grade.
The five neighborhoods and their corresponding elementary schools are:
- Fox Meadow - Fox Meadow Elementary School
- Quaker Ridge - Quaker Ridge Elementary School
- Greenacres - Greenacres Elementary School
- Edgewood - Edgewood Elementary School
- Heathcote - Heathcote Elementary School
Each school is excellent. Scarsdale's district-wide commitment to education means that there is no "weak" school in the system. However, each neighborhood offers a different living experience, and the right choice depends on your family's priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.
Fox Meadow
Character and Feel
Fox Meadow is often considered the quintessential Scarsdale neighborhood and is the area most closely associated with the village's national reputation. Located in the heart of Scarsdale, Fox Meadow offers the best walkability of any neighborhood in the village, with many homes within a short stroll of the Scarsdale village center, the Metro-North train station, and Fox Meadow Elementary School.
The streets of Fox Meadow are lined with mature trees and gracious older homes. The neighborhood has a settled, established feel, and the community is tight-knit in the way that walkable neighborhoods tend to foster. Families in Fox Meadow often develop deep roots, and it is not uncommon for homeowners to remain in the neighborhood for decades.
Home Styles
Fox Meadow's architectural character is dominated by Tudor Revival and Colonial Revival homes built primarily in the 1920s through 1940s. These are the homes that appear in real estate features about Scarsdale: half-timbered facades, steeply pitched roofs, stone accents, and gracious interior proportions. You will also find Cape Cod styles, Dutch Colonials with their distinctive gambrel roofs, and a smattering of mid-century homes on some streets.
Lot sizes in Fox Meadow tend to be moderate by Scarsdale standards, typically ranging from a quarter acre to just under half an acre. The neighborhood's central location means that land is at a premium, and lots are generally smaller than those in Heathcote or parts of Quaker Ridge.
Price Range
Fox Meadow commands some of the highest prices in Scarsdale due to its walkability and central location. As of 2026:
- Entry-level (smaller homes, original condition): $1,300,000 - $1,700,000
- Mid-range (4-bedroom, updated): $1,700,000 - $2,500,000
- Premium (fully renovated or expanded): $2,500,000 - $4,000,000+
Construction and Renovation Insights
Fox Meadow's older housing stock means that renovation is a constant theme. Many buyers purchase homes in original or semi-updated condition with plans for significant renovation. The most common projects include gut renovations of kitchens and bathrooms, opening up compartmentalized floor plans for modern living, adding family rooms or mudrooms, and addressing the mechanical and structural needs of homes approaching or exceeding 100 years old.
Key consideration: Fox Meadow's moderate lot sizes and Scarsdale's FAR (floor area ratio) and lot coverage restrictions can limit expansion options. Before purchasing a Fox Meadow home with plans to add square footage, it is essential to have a thorough zoning analysis performed. Coastal Construction routinely conducts these analyses for clients, helping them understand exactly what is possible on a given property before they commit to a purchase.
Quaker Ridge
Character and Feel
Quaker Ridge occupies the southern portion of Scarsdale, bordering New Rochelle and the Quaker Ridge Golf Club. The neighborhood has a slightly more suburban feel than Fox Meadow, with wider lots, more varied topography, and a mix of architectural periods. Quaker Ridge is popular with families who want the Scarsdale school district and a strong sense of community but prefer a somewhat quieter, more residential setting than the village center area.
The presence of the Quaker Ridge Golf Club gives parts of the neighborhood a distinctly country-club atmosphere. Homes backing up to or near the golf course are among the most desirable in the area, offering views, privacy, and a sense of being removed from the bustle of daily life.
Home Styles
Quaker Ridge has more architectural variety than Fox Meadow. You will find:
- Colonials (both Georgian and Colonial Revival) from the 1930s through 1960s
- Split-levels and raised ranches from the 1950s and 1960s (particularly on the eastern side of the neighborhood)
- Tudor Revival homes, though fewer than in Fox Meadow
- Contemporary and modern homes from various periods, reflecting the neighborhood's gradual buildout over several decades
- New construction and complete rebuilds, particularly on larger lots where older homes have been replaced with custom-designed residences
Price Range
Quaker Ridge offers a wider price range than Fox Meadow, in part because of the greater variety in home sizes, styles, and conditions:
- Entry-level (split-levels and smaller colonials in original condition): $1,100,000 - $1,500,000
- Mid-range (updated colonials, 4+ bedrooms): $1,500,000 - $2,300,000
- Premium (new construction, golf course proximity, fully renovated): $2,300,000 - $3,500,000+
Construction and Renovation Insights
Quaker Ridge presents some of the most interesting opportunities for construction and renovation in Scarsdale. The neighborhood's split-levels and raised ranches, while not architecturally beloved, sit on generous lots and offer significant potential for transformation. A skilled builder can convert a dated split-level into a contemporary masterpiece, or demolish a tired ranch and replace it with a custom new-construction home.
Key consideration: Split-level renovations require a builder who understands how to work with the multi-level floor plates and often unusual structural systems of these homes. Adding second stories or expanding the footprint of a split-level is very different from working with a traditional Colonial. Coastal Construction has completed multiple split-level transformations in Scarsdale and understands the unique engineering challenges these projects present.
Greenacres
Character and Feel
Greenacres is the most walkable neighborhood in Scarsdale after Fox Meadow, and some residents would argue it is equally walkable. Located just south of the village center, Greenacres offers convenient access to shops, restaurants, the train station, and the library. The neighborhood has a warm, neighborhood-block feel, with homes set close together on tree-lined streets and a strong sense of community identity.
Greenacres is particularly popular with young families moving to Scarsdale for the first time. The neighborhood's slightly lower price point (relative to Fox Meadow) and excellent walkability make it an attractive entry point into the Scarsdale market.
Home Styles
Greenacres is architecturally eclectic, with a housing stock that reflects multiple building periods:
- Tudor Revival homes from the 1920s and 1930s
- Colonial Revival homes from the 1930s and 1940s
- Cape Cod cottages
- English Cottage style homes with stone and stucco exteriors
- A number of smaller, more modest homes compared to other Scarsdale neighborhoods, reflecting the neighborhood's historical development as a slightly more accessible section of the village
The homes in Greenacres tend to be somewhat smaller than those in Fox Meadow or Heathcote, with many in the 1,800 to 2,800 square foot range. However, what Greenacres homes may lack in size, they often make up for in charm, character, and location.
Price Range
Greenacres is generally considered one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Scarsdale, though "affordable" is very much relative in this context:
- Entry-level (smaller capes and colonials, original condition): $1,000,000 - $1,400,000
- Mid-range (updated 3-4 bedroom homes): $1,400,000 - $2,000,000
- Premium (fully renovated, expanded, or exceptional location): $2,000,000 - $3,000,000
Construction and Renovation Insights
Greenacres' smaller lot sizes present both challenges and opportunities. Additions must be carefully planned to comply with Scarsdale's FAR and lot coverage restrictions, and creative solutions are often required to maximize usable space without exceeding regulatory limits. Finished basements, third-floor conversions, and bump-out additions are popular strategies.
Key consideration: Many Greenacres homes were built on smaller footprints that do not meet today's expectations for open-plan living. Reconfiguring the interior layout, removing or relocating walls to create a more contemporary flow, and upgrading kitchens and bathrooms are the most impactful renovations in this neighborhood. These projects can dramatically increase both livability and resale value.
Edgewood
Character and Feel
Edgewood occupies the western portion of Scarsdale, bordering Hartsdale and Greenburgh. The neighborhood has a more relaxed, less formal feel than Fox Meadow or Heathcote, and it offers some of the best value in the Scarsdale school district. Edgewood is popular with families who prioritize the school system and a comfortable living environment but want more house for their money than the village's more prestigious neighborhoods offer.
The neighborhood is quieter and more residential than the sections closer to the village center. Edgewood homes sit on a mix of lot sizes, from compact village lots to more generous parcels along the neighborhood's western edges.
Home Styles
Edgewood's housing stock is diverse:
- Colonials in various sizes and periods
- Tudor Revival homes, particularly along the neighborhood's eastern streets
- Split-levels and ranches from the mid-century period
- Capes and cottages
- Some newer construction on lots where older homes have been replaced
The architecture in Edgewood is less consistently "classic Scarsdale" than Fox Meadow or Heathcote, which contributes to the neighborhood's more affordable price points but also means that well-executed renovations can produce particularly strong returns.
Price Range
Edgewood is generally the most affordable of Scarsdale's five neighborhoods:
- Entry-level (smaller homes, original condition): $900,000 - $1,300,000
- Mid-range (updated colonials and split-levels): $1,300,000 - $1,800,000
- Premium (fully renovated, larger lots): $1,800,000 - $2,800,000
Construction and Renovation Insights
Edgewood represents perhaps the best renovation opportunity in all of Scarsdale. The lower acquisition costs mean that homeowners can invest more in renovation while maintaining a total project cost that remains below comparable homes in Fox Meadow or Heathcote. A buyer who purchases a $1.2 million home in Edgewood and invests $500,000 in a comprehensive renovation can end up with a stunning, modern home in the Scarsdale school district for substantially less than a comparable renovated property in other neighborhoods.
Key consideration: Edgewood's mid-century split-levels and ranches are ripe for transformation. These homes often sit on good lots with mature landscaping and can be converted into contemporary, open-plan residences through thoughtful renovation. Coastal Construction has helped multiple Edgewood homeowners reimagine their properties, turning dated layouts into homes that rival new construction in quality and design.
Heathcote
Character and Feel
Heathcote is Scarsdale's most exclusive and expansive neighborhood. Located in the eastern portion of the village, Heathcote is characterized by large lots, grand homes, winding roads, and a distinctly estate-like atmosphere. If Fox Meadow is the walkable village neighborhood, Heathcote is the pastoral retreat.
Properties in Heathcote tend to be larger, more private, and more removed from the village center than those in other neighborhoods. The neighborhood attracts buyers who want significant land, architectural grandeur, and privacy while still benefiting from the Scarsdale school system. Heathcote is also home to some of Scarsdale's most architecturally significant properties, including several that were designed by notable architects.
Home Styles
Heathcote's housing stock is among the most impressive in Westchester County:
- Georgian and Colonial Revival manors on expansive lots, many built by prominent families in the 1920s and 1930s
- English Tudor estates with stone and half-timber construction
- Contemporary and modern custom homes, often new construction on lots where older homes have been replaced
- French Provincial and Mediterranean-inspired homes
- Mid-century modern designs on some of the neighborhood's larger lots
Home sizes in Heathcote frequently exceed 4,000 square feet, with many properties in the 5,000 to 8,000+ square foot range. Lots of half an acre to a full acre or more are common, providing ample room for additions, pools, sport courts, and extensive landscaping.
Price Range
Heathcote is the most expensive neighborhood in Scarsdale:
- Entry-level (smaller properties or older condition): $1,500,000 - $2,200,000
- Mid-range (updated, 4-5+ bedrooms): $2,200,000 - $3,500,000
- Premium (estate properties, new construction, fully renovated manors): $3,500,000 - $7,000,000+
Construction and Renovation Insights
Heathcote properties tend to have larger lots ideal for additions and pool installations. The generous setbacks and lower lot coverage ratios (relative to the more compact neighborhoods) give homeowners more flexibility to expand their homes and enhance their outdoor living spaces. Common Heathcote projects include:
- Major additions: second-story expansions, wing additions, family room extensions
- Pool and outdoor living installations: gunite pools, outdoor kitchens, patios, and pavilions
- Estate-level landscaping: extensive hardscaping, retaining walls, and mature plantings
- Full gut renovations: transforming grand but dated interiors into modern luxury living spaces
- Carriage house and accessory building construction
Key consideration: The scale and complexity of Heathcote projects demand a builder with the capacity and expertise to manage large, multi-trade construction operations. Coastal Construction has extensive experience with estate-scale projects in Scarsdale and throughout Westchester, bringing the project management discipline and trade partner network required to deliver these ambitious renovations on time and to specification.
Comparing Scarsdale's Neighborhoods at a Glance
- Feature: Walkability | Fox Meadow: Excellent | Quaker Ridge: Moderate | Greenacres: Very Good | Edgewood: Moderate | Heathcote: Lower
- Feature: Lot Sizes | Fox Meadow: Moderate | Quaker Ridge: Moderate-Large | Greenacres: Smaller | Edgewood: Mixed | Heathcote: Large
- Feature: Entry Price | Fox Meadow: ~$1.3M | Quaker Ridge: ~$1.1M | Greenacres: ~$1.0M | Edgewood: ~$900K | Heathcote: ~$1.5M
- Feature: Top Price | Fox Meadow: $4M+ | Quaker Ridge: $3.5M+ | Greenacres: $3M | Edgewood: $2.8M | Heathcote: $7M+
- Feature: Character | Fox Meadow: Classic Village | Quaker Ridge: Country Club | Greenacres: Charming, Walkable | Edgewood: Value-Oriented | Heathcote: Estate-Like
- Feature: Best For | Fox Meadow: Walkability, Village Life | Quaker Ridge: Golf, Variety | Greenacres: Young Families, Value | Edgewood: Budget-Conscious | Heathcote: Space, Privacy
- Feature: Reno Potential | Fox Meadow: High (older homes) | Quaker Ridge: Very High (split-levels) | Greenacres: High (small homes) | Edgewood: Very High (value play) | Heathcote: Highest (large lots)
The Scarsdale School District
Regardless of which neighborhood you choose, your children will attend one of the finest public school systems in the nation. Scarsdale consistently ranks in the top ten school districts in New York State and among the top fifty nationally.
Key Facts
- Student-to-teacher ratio: approximately 12:1
- AP courses offered: 20+
- Average SAT scores: consistently among the highest in Westchester
- College placement: graduates attend the nation's most selective institutions, including Ivy League schools, Stanford, MIT, and leading liberal arts colleges
- Facilities: modern, well-maintained buildings with extensive athletic, arts, and technology resources
The school district is funded primarily through property taxes, which in Scarsdale are among the highest in Westchester County (and the nation). However, families moving to Scarsdale generally view these taxes as an investment in their children's education and in their property values, both of which have proven remarkably durable over time.
Commuting from Scarsdale
Scarsdale's Metro-North station, located in the heart of the village, provides service to Grand Central Terminal on the Harlem Line.
- Express commute: approximately 33-37 minutes to Grand Central
- Peak frequency: trains approximately every 15-20 minutes during rush hours
- Monthly pass: approximately $250-$300
The station's central location makes it particularly convenient for Fox Meadow and Greenacres residents, who can typically walk to the platform. Residents of Quaker Ridge, Edgewood, and Heathcote may need to drive to the station or use the village's commuter parking, which is well-organized but competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Neighborhoods in Scarsdale, NY
Which Scarsdale neighborhood is best for families with young children?
All five Scarsdale neighborhoods are excellent for families, as the school district is uniformly strong. However, Greenacres and Fox Meadow offer the best walkability, which many families with young children prioritize. The ability for kids to walk to school, to the library, and to the village center is a meaningful quality-of-life advantage. Greenacres also offers a slightly lower price point, making it an attractive entry point for families moving to Scarsdale for the first time.
What is the most affordable neighborhood in Scarsdale?
Edgewood generally offers the most accessible price points in the Scarsdale market, with entry-level homes starting around $900,000 to $1 million. Greenacres is also relatively affordable by Scarsdale standards. Both neighborhoods offer full access to the Scarsdale school district and community amenities, making them excellent value for families who want the Scarsdale experience at a more manageable investment level.
Are there new construction opportunities in Scarsdale?
Yes, though new construction in Scarsdale typically involves purchasing an existing property, demolishing the existing home, and building a custom residence on the lot. This is most common in Quaker Ridge and Heathcote, where larger lots and dated mid-century homes create favorable conditions for teardown-and-rebuild projects. Scarsdale's zoning regulations, particularly FAR limits and setback requirements, must be carefully navigated. Working with an experienced builder like Coastal Construction who understands Scarsdale's regulatory landscape is essential.
How do property taxes in Scarsdale compare to other Westchester towns?
Scarsdale's property taxes are among the highest in Westchester County and the nation. Annual taxes on a $2 million home can range from $40,000 to $60,000 or more, depending on the specific property. While these numbers can cause sticker shock, Scarsdale residents generally view the taxes as the cost of one of the nation's best public school systems and a well-run village government. The strong tax base also supports property values, which have proven remarkably resilient through economic cycles.
What should I know before renovating a home in Scarsdale?
Scarsdale's zoning code includes FAR (floor area ratio) limits, lot coverage restrictions, setback requirements, and height limits that constrain additions and expansions. The Board of Architectural Review also evaluates exterior changes to ensure they are consistent with the neighborhood's character. Before committing to a renovation plan, have your builder conduct a thorough zoning analysis of your specific property. Understanding what is permitted as of right versus what would require a variance is the foundation of successful project planning in Scarsdale.
Planning a Project in Scarsdale? Let Coastal Construction Guide You.
Whether you are renovating a Fox Meadow Tudor, transforming a Quaker Ridge split-level, expanding a Heathcote estate, or building a custom home from the ground up, Coastal Construction brings the expertise, the local knowledge, and the commitment to quality that Scarsdale homeowners demand. Owner Joseph Marraccini and our team have deep experience in every Scarsdale neighborhood, and we understand how to navigate the village's regulatory requirements while delivering results that exceed expectations.
Your home in Scarsdale is more than an investment. It is where your family lives, grows, and creates memories. We treat every project with the care and attention that responsibility deserves.
Contact Coastal Construction to discuss your Scarsdale project | View our portfolio of Scarsdale renovations | Learn about our process
